Transforming a kit home into a guesthouse

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This couple turned a kit home into a popular Hawkesbury River holiday house

Angelo and Alannah were searching for just the right house to put on their land by the Hawkesbury River near Windsor in NSW. In the end they concluded that nothing they had seen was quite what they wanted so they decided to design their own house with the help of Kitome. The end result is a stunning home that sits like a jewel in its tranquil rural setting among the orange groves.

Kitome’s Internal Design Service was able to work with the couple to help them bring their ideas to life. A key requirement was the federation style facade to ensure the building blended in well with the historic feel of Windsor. It was also important to have a verandah that completely surrounded the house to allow for the amazing 360-degree vistas available from every side of the house. The inside, however, needed to be thoroughly modern with an open-plan living style and practical and functional entertaining areas that are able to take full advantage of the house’s natural assets.

Knowing it would be a guest house, the couple took a Kitome design and made a lot of modifications, including adding an ensuite to each of the four bedrooms.

“We wanted something comfortable and attractive. Because of the views we wanted every room opening to a balcony or verandah. Kitome appealed to us because we were on a budget and they seemed the most flexible company,” says Alannah.

Once the design was finalised, everything turned up at the site on time and ready to go.

“The builder recommended by Kitome knew exactly what to do. Everything was on time and there were no hitches at all.”

Linda from Kitome was on hand to help the couple navigate the issues that invariably arise on a build project. She ensured that any issues were dealt with quickly and efficiently so that construction wasn’t held up. The new construction, called Cornwallis House, is now a working holiday home and Alannah says that they love the house’s flow and sense of space.

“It is absolutely great. All our guests love it and we are booked out every weekend. Most can’t believe it’s a kit home!”